Signaling device



FeB.'- -'24, 1925.

E. F. POTTER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov. 3, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb.24, 1925 152791440 Y E. F. POTTER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov. 5', 1920-4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z0 Eng 526W wf omn z s i Feb. 24, 1925. 1,527,440

E. F. POTTER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov 3, 1920 v, lllll 4 Sheets-Sheet3 F PM. (g wm Feb. 24, 1925 V 1,527,440

E. F. POTTER SIGNALING DEVICE 'Filed Nov. 5, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 4wormgg Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED. STATE PATENT ()F F IiiC'Ej.

EAR-LE Fr POTTER, OF CRESTONy, IOWA, ASSIG-NOR TO; THE; POTTER.SPECIALTIES.

COMPANY, OF= CHICAGO,-. ILLINOIS,

A oon-rona'rronjon ILLINOIS SI -ammo DEVICE,

Appiicatiqn filed November. 3, 1920. Serial No. 421,448.

To. all whom it may canoe 1 21,;

Be it known that I, EanLn F. Po'iunn, a citizen ofthe Uuited States, residing.at Creston, in the county ofUnion. and State 5 of'Iowa, haveinvente d a certainnew and usefulImprovement in Signaling Devices, ofwhich the following .is afull, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying, drawings, form,. ing. a partofthis specification.

My invention relates to signalingdevices, particularly to those of thesoc,alled-tratfic signal type and is in general, animprovement upon myprior invention set out in my application, Serial No, February 16, 1920.

Inmy prior invention I have disclosed a signaling device, the indicatingsurfaces ofwhich are in the nature of a pair ofdis-. tinctively coloredhelical discs or plates one of which is adapted'to be threaded; throughthe other into position forward or to the rear of the same according tothe signal or in dication to be given. One signal having. two' distinctindications is. mounted, upon,

each side of the vehicle as upon the fender or in some other prominent.position. Like surfaces of a suitable color such. as white for example,normally in indicating posis tion in ea-h device indicate that thevehicle is to continue in its straight ahead movement. An intended turnto theright is indicated'by operating the signal on the right hand sideof the vehicle to. position the normally concealed indicating surfacewhich is of some different distinctive color such asredor greenforwardofthe disc or surface normally in indicating position.

The signalon the lefthand sideiis operated to indicate anintcnded turnto the left. An intendedf stop or diminution in speed'is in; cheated byoperating both signals si1nultaneously to position the normallyconcealed indicating surfaces forward ofthe surfaces normally inindicated position. By pro viding two pairs of cooperating discs in eachhousin the drivers intention is conveyed to the front as well' as to therear of the vehicle. i i I The novel'inanner of concealing one sur- 8,98 filed indicating other according to the signal or indication to begiven. makes. for a simple, compact and attractive device which maybeinexpensively manufactured and easily assembled and is effective andpositive in operation. The large indicating surface relative thedimensions of theentire device is another important feature had by thisarrangement. The area required for the two positions of eachof the twoindicating surfaces of the device is substantially the same as thatrequired for either of such surfaces in one posit-ion, that. is, thereare no laterally oil'- set casing portions or. the like. for receiv} ingthe concealedindicating surface as here.- tofore.

My present inventionseeks a still more highly refined device of stillmore eiiicient, positive and reliable operation, and still furthercompactness and simplicity in an improved assembly. i

A still further, aim of my present invention is the provision of adevice, which will require very little attentionfrom the opera,- tor.

Certainfeatures of my present invention are:

in) An improved means for, quickly and positively operating the deviceto position the desired signaling surface or surfaces in indicatingposition, 7' i i (b) Interlocking ieans for positively locking theindicating surface or surfaces against displacement from their adjust-ed or set position,

(0) An improved switch for energizing thesignal operatingmeansindependently or simultaneously as desired when two signals areemployed.

(cl) Means for automatically terminating the. period of energization ofthe. signal operating means upon positioning the desired signalingsurface in indicating position, thereby precluding the. possibility ofleaving the circuit closed after the particular surface is positioned,for the desired indication.

Certain arrangements andv details of construction which are novel andimportant and are made the subject matter of some of the appended claimstogether with other features of the invention not hereinbefore set forthwill appear from the following detailed description and the claims takenwith an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a signalingdevice embodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line2-2 of Figure 1 showing the wiring connections of the device more orless diagrammatically;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of one pair of cooperating indicatingsurfaces of the device;

Figure 4: is a rear elevational View of an automobile showing onearrangement of the signaling devices of my present invention inconnection therewith;

Figure 5 is an axial section of the controlling switch takensubstantially on the line 55 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a plan View of the controlling switch taken substantially onthe line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line7.7 of Figure 5 showing diagrammatically the wiring connections to thesignaling devices;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the terminal blocks taken fromthe right in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows diagrammatically an alternative interlocking arrangement;and

Figures 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views of still further modifications.

As stated before one of signaling devices of my invention is mounted insome prominent position on each side of the vehicle as for example asshown at l and 2 upon the rear fenders 3 and 4, respectively, of thevehicle 5 shown in Figure 4. The mounting brackets of the signals inthis particular instance would be of a different formation than thebracket shown in connection with Figure 2 which bracket is illustrativeof a type that may be used for mounting the signals upon the sides ofthe vehicle body or even upon the windshield under certain conditions Ifarranged as in Figure 4 the signals may even be built in as permanentequipment in much the same manner as the head lights of certain of thebetter class cars are now built. However, the particular mounting of thesignals is really immaterial in so far as my present invention isconcerned.

Each of the signals 1 and 2 which are substantially identical so that adetailed description of one will sufiice for both comprises a frameincluding a pair of sub stantially vertical frame members 6 and 7(Figure 1) between which the horizontally extending portion of a framemember 8 is secured as by means of suitable machine or set screws or thelike as shown, although of course the frame member 8 may beformedintegral with the frame members 6 and 7 if so desired. The opposite endsof the frame member 8 project up at substantially right angles to thehorizontally extending portion thereof and are provided withhorizontally aligned openings through which openings a tube 9 extends.The opposite ends of the tube 9 are securely mounted in blocks 10 and11, respectively, which blocks extend longitudinally between thestationary signaling discs or surfaces 12 and, 13 of the device andserve to maintain the proper spaced relation of such surfaces atsubstantially diametrically opposite. points in a horizontal plane. Theperipheries of the discs or plates 12 and 13 are secured to the blocks10 and 11 at these points by means of suitable machine or set screws ltor the like (Figures 2 and 3). The peripheries of the discs 12 and 13are secured by means of suitable screws at substantially oppositevertical points to the opposite end of the vertical frame members 6 and7, respectively, of the device as clearly shown in Figure 2.

The relatively stationary signaling surfaces 12 and 13 are in the natureof substantially continuous helical plates or discs slotted as shown at15 in Figure 3 and inclined uniformly from one edge 16 of the slot tothe other edge 17 The upper and lower edges of the frame members 6 and 7to which the surfaces 12 and 13 are attached are provided with mountingshoulders, the upper shoulder of the member 7 projecting beyond thelower shoulder thereof while the lower shoulder of the frame member 6projects beyond the upper shoulder of said member. The ends of theblocks 10 and 11 to which the signaling surfaces are attached projectaccordingly so as to accommodate the helical formation of the stationarysignaling surfaces, all points of which surfaces are thereby maintainedsubstantially equi-distant apart.

The rotatable signaling surfaces or indicating discs 18 and 19 aresecured as by means of suitable machine screws 20 upon the opposite endsof a shaft 21 which shaft .eX- tends through and is supported adjacentits opposite ends in the frame members 6 and 7. These rotatablesignaling discs are, like the stationary discs '12 and 13, in the natureof substantially continuous helical plates s1otted as shown at 22 inFigure 3 and inclined uniformly from one edge 23 of the slot to theother edge24s Like the stationary discs 12 and 13 all points of therotatable discs 18 and 19 are substantially equi-distant apart andconsequently the entire surface of the disc 18 is at all timessubstantially equilllO indicating sin-faresthemselves distant from thesurface of; the: disc 12. while ;theentiresurfaeetof theadiso19 ris atiall times substantiallyequi-distant from-the surface a of the disc Uponrotation of the f shaft 211 the: discs: 18'an-d-19; are'threaded fromone.:side to the other of the: surfaces 12 and: 18, re:- spectively, aswill be lierei'nafter-more; fullyset" forth.

A series :ofannular ridges milled or o-ther'- wise formediloirgitudinally abou't tlieaperiplu ery of: the: shaft 21: between the opposite";ends thereofv provide a series; of teeth; 26. about: the periphery ofthis shaft; which teeth-V 26 mesh: witln a; seriesa'o'f cooperatingteeth 27' provided ammlarly about idl shaifti intermediate the-oppositeends th ereofp A- raelr and pinioniengagement is the-reby'ef fee-ted;between the shafts: 2.8 211161121 for converting the rectilinearmovementdofathe: shafb28into oireular movement or: rotation of the-'shafti21.

Engagement between the i teeth 26 of! the? shaft 21 andithecooperatingzteeth 217 ofsthe shaft' 28 whieh shaft: 28 is mounted forrectilinear movement within; the" tube 9 isv had by euttingmwa-y aportioniof the under surface of the tube 9 as: shown at- 29 in' Figure2. The slia ftz28 constitutes the-core: or: plunger'of at pair; ofsolenoid windings 30 i and 31 wound about" the tube 9 between the bloelr10 and: one'of' theupwardly pro jecting portions of the frame member? 8?audit the-block 11 and the-other: upwardly projeeting portion of;thisframe memberi Energizationa of the winding: 31 moves the; shaft 28th the right (Figure 2) through. the-tube 9; rotating the shaft'2l wisedirection to position the diso 18 lee-'- hind I the surface 12; and thedis; 19 forward: or in=front ofthe surface 13:whilesenergizav tion ofthe'windingi8O moves'ithe core28"to theleft and consequentlyrotatesithei-shaft 21 in a counter: cloekivise'direotion to-posi-- tionthe disc 18in front of the surface 12: and the disc 19 behind the'surface 13. Rectilinear movement of the shaft 28 islimited by means ofplugsAlT and 48 three-(1; ed into the opposite'ends of: the tube-9 andprovided with suitable cooperating; look nuts 49. Obviously movement oftlie shaft 2,8 in: either direction may be conveniently ad justed byadjustment-of either or'both; of the plugs 17 or 48 as desired.

Frictional. engagement betweeni the 00- operating" signaling surfaces ofthe devicein threading one surface tl'irough' theothor or at least'excessive frictional! engagement such as would wear the enamel; offthese surfaces is effectively prevented by the" en gagement ofa pin orscrew 4E5 threaded: through the frame member"?- Wltll a lielical: groove40 formed in: the shaft" 21 ab sub stantially the same pitch as thepitch-of the- A 1plungerr3l5 reciprocableginaa tube 36' mounztechatTitsupper. end in ithe-=horizontal portion kcofvzthe lframepmeniher 8 isprovided with iaiprojecting pin 3T normally projected inter-engagementwiththe teeth 26% of the:- shaft 211 by means of a suitable-spring38--confined between; the, lower end of the. plunger" 35 -an-dia plug39wthreaded intothe lower endiof the-tube: The sh'aft 21: is. in::thismanner effectively locked against unintentional rotation from itsset on adj usted position suohl as: might otherwise resulti fromihevibration to which thervehiele; is subjected; The plunger constitutesthe; core of; a; solenoid: winding 40 wound aboutitlio-tube 3'6. Upon:energization ofv the solenoid winding: 30 E the winding. 40 i in:series-1 therewith 1 through a: suitable iconductor: or; lead, 41;Uponenergization of: the? winding; 31; the-winding; 40 is in series:with; suoh 1 winding 31 througha i conductor.- 42.. The' opposite end;of: the P winding, 40 isgrounded as, shown diagrammatically. at 13' in;suitable -mannergu as for: example, i to I the frame: ofgthe device.

A= socketv member: 50 carrying a suitable-u lampi51iis mounted; betweenthe upper 7 ends of the verticahframe members fiv and/7. and projectsradially through a suitable opening. 52 ;i1'1- the: annular enelosing';frame 53/ withini whicln frame 53 the indicating sur faoesand operating;meohanismiof the device: areconfined; Interior annular. shoul ders"within; the frame member-- 1 adj ace-ntea'cli of:- the opplositeop'enfacesthereof seat suitable; mounting rings 54 and 55 into engagement-iwith which, rings the convex concave exposing; panes or: lenses 56 andi57 are, securely clamped by means of clamping; onretaining'rings5 8: and59, respectively, which rings are: threaded :upon: the opposite ends" ofthe enclosing; frame or band The: indicating Sill fftCQSgu operating.-mocha.-

nism' ietcr, ,ofthexlevice are'securelyrretained again'st angular:displacement within :the enclo'sing: frame-- 53 ;byi the cooperation ofprojGOtlIIgiPlIIS (SDI-carried by the'bloeks 10 and 11- witlh suitable:longitudinahv grooves pro-- vided: in=the1 interiorsurface of the framemember 5?): as clearly, shown; in Figure 2.. Of course,- these parts maybe; other-wisekevedg against relative: rotationi By provide ing: the;grooves in the. blocks 10 and 11. for: example; and the cooperating pinsin the framemember; the thickness oft the frame memben could bedecreased;

A1 housing 61' encloses the lamp 51 and is providediwith' signalingpanes or targets-62. and: 63 securely; mounted: in suitable. framemembers 6 1 and, Tihe frame members 64; and: 65 with their signalingpanes or. targets are clamped against the opposite open endsOfltllC'llOllSlllQ'iG'l' as-=,bv means of a suitable: bolt 66 extendingthrough; the

frame64 and the housing-:61andthreadedi J U into the opposite frame 65.The targets or through the hollow mounting bracket 69 and:

to the terminal strip 7 O of the controlling switch as showndiagrammatically in Figure 7 The winding 31 is supplied through aconductor 71 which conductor leads up through the hollow mountingbracket 69 and to the terminal strip 7 2 of the controlling switch. Thelamp 51, one terminal of which lamp is grounded as shown at 73 in Figure2, is supplied through a conductor 7 a leading from the other terminalof the lamp socket 'up through the hollow bracket 69 and thence to theterminal bolt 75 (Figure 7) of the controlling switch.

The controlling switch comprises a casing or housing 76 having a cover'or head 7 7 securely fitted upon the upper open end thereof. A block 78of insulation mounted within the casing or housing 7 6 as by means ofsuitable screws 79 or the like is provided with a boss or hub 80projecting upwardly through the cover or head 77 and terminatingslightly thereabove. The upper end of the boss or head 80 of theinsulating block 78 is bored for the reception of a metallic thimble 81having a flange at its upper end for engaging the upper end of theinsulating boss or hub 80. The lower end of the depending sleeve portionof the metallic thimble 81 is bent inwardly or provided with a series ofinwardly extending. lugs forming a socket in which socket the metallicball portion 82 of the contact making lever 83 is fulcrumed. tendingstemof this lever is provided with an insulating finger piece 84,whereby the lever is pivoted about its fulcrum to control the flow ofcurrent to the signaling device as will be hereinafter set out. A blockof insulation 85 having such openings through its upper surface as willallow for the proper pivotal movements of the lever 83 about its fulcrumis bolted uponthe'cover or head 77 of the switch. clamping the metallicthimble 81 securely in place. Obviously, with the hub or boss 80 andblock 78 the thimble 81 is substantially completely enclosed ininsulation.

The opposite ends of a terminal strip 86 clamped between the lower orouter surface of the insulating block 78 and an arcuate The upwardlyBX-V block 87 of insulation are bent down along the opposite ends ofthis.block as shown at 88 and 89 in Figures 5 and 7. This terminal strip86 is connected through a suitable conductor 90 with the terminal bolt75 of the switch. The under surface of 87 is secured to and depends fromthe block 87 as shown- The terminal strip 7 0, which terminal strip 70is connected through the conductor 68 with the solenoid winding 30 ofthe signal is secured as through suitable screws or the like upon theunder surface of the block 91.

Blocks of insulation 92 and 93 together with the block 78 carry terminalstrips 94L, 95 and 96 connected through suitable conductors 97, 98 and99, with the lamp and solenoid coils, respectively, of the signalingdevice mounted upon the opposite side of the car when two of suchdevices are employed as shown in Figure 4. The adjacent ends of theblocks 87, 91 and 9293 are spaced sufiiciently apart to permit thedownwardly extending energizing finger of the lever 83 to be swung aboutits fulcrum or pivot into engagement with the ends of the terminalstrips therebetween. Swinging of the lever 83 at substantiallyright-angles to the movement between these blocks is permitted bysuitable guideways 100 formed in the block 78 and hub or boss 80. Theenergizing finger of the lever 83 is supplied from a battery 101 orother suitable source way of a conductor 102 connected to the metallicthimble 81 of the switch. The opposite end of the battery 101 isgrounded as shown diagrammatically at 103. The free end of a springstrip 104 carried by the block 78 isbent downwardly and engages the freeor inner end of the lever 83 to maintain said lever normally in theposition shown in Figures 5 and 8.

The operation of the arrangement thus far described is as follows:

Assume that the rotatable white enameled of the exposing faces of thesignaling devices while the stationary white enameled discs 18 are inindicating position at one discs 13 are in indicating position at the 7other or opposite exposing faces, indicating ahead movement. Should thedriver intend toturn tothe left, the contact making lever 83 is swungabout its fulcrum to the left (Figures 5 and 7) through the guideway 100into engagement first with the bent down end- 88 of the terminal strip86, and finally into engagement with the up-turned that the vehicle isto continue in its straight .end of the.terminal strip .72 .againstthe.tGDSlOll-t-Jf a sprmgz105.

Upon engagement between the contact .making orenergizingfinger 8,3..andtheter- .mmal strip .86,, the circuit fromsthe source 101, one .endofwhich source is-g'rounded,

through the lamp 51 in the left hand signal is completed by .way .of the.-conductor 74, causing this lampto burn. TheleverB-B immediatelyengaging the terminal stripn'Z-L closes thecircuit'from; theSOlll'CG'IlOL through the solenoidv coils 31 and 4.0 of the left handsignal. Simultaneous .energization of the windings 31. 2111Cl214z0isthereby effected. Energization of the coil .40 releases: the shaft 28while.energizationeofthe. coil 31 1noves the shaft rectilineally throughthe atuhe 9 to the right (Figure 2). :This rectilineal movement of theshaft 28 to theri-ght. rotates .the shaft 21 in a clockwisedirection.tosposi- :tion the white enameled discs lSybehindthe green, red orotherdistinctivelyenameled surface 12. and the corresponding greeinlredor other distinctively ienameled discs 19 forward or in front oftliecwhiteaenameled disc surface 13. An. effective indication is therebyconveyed to .the-front--, and rear .when

a'turnjto therleft is contemplated. "As the lever 83 is-released;,by the0perat0r,..contact between theenergizingsfinger thereof and theterminalstrip-TQ is instantly broken by the spring -10.5,'=whereup.onthespring pressed locking plunge1t35, is forced into. en-

gagement .with ,theteethaQ'T ofthe shaft 28 to efli.CtlV8ly -lOC-l theshaft .against,-u11in'- tentional rotation. 'Theperiod-of energizationof the coils 30, and 31 is therefore ,very short.

The lamp, however,.continues toburn untilgthe change incourse hasbeenmadeand the .lever'jis moved -,to the night, through the guideway.100' back into its normal position. Uponsuch movement, contact .betweenthe .lever .83 and;.the,-strip. 86 is first broken putting the lamp out=of .service. Tithin theremaining movement ,of: the lever 83 back tonormal, contactnis made with the terminal strip 70..closing,.thecircuitthrough .the solenoid windings130and 40; by way of the conductors68 and fll. The spring arm 1.50 .of the strip 104 is arranged to springtheelever '83 out ofengagement with the terminal strip 170should thelever .83 be unintentionally released when in such position. aTheishaft28.,is thereupon released and instantly-moved. to the left to positionthe white enameled discs 18 in the left hand signal again :forward ofthe green, red .or -oj'ther distinctively enameled surface 12.,and -thc;green,.red.or otherdistinctively enameled discs 19 again behind thewhite enameled surface 13.

An intended turn to the right is indicated by :swinging the lever 83about its fulcrum to the right (Figurese andfi) .throughrthe guidewa v10.0 to engage the terminal strips'il l. and'96 and the .strip 95.agaiinst the ".tensionof the spring 106 in thesame manner as has beenfully, set out :in.connectionwith theleft hand signaling JClGVlCQ.

Shouldithe i;driver intend .to stop or diaminish the speed of; thevehicle, the encrg'izingafinger of the;lever.83 is swung beitweemtlieadjacentbase ends of the blocks 8T91 and 9293. Upon such movement,simultaneous engagement is first had with the terminal strips .86 and.94 closing the circuits;through the lampsin each of theindicating-devices. Continuing this move' .ment, simultaneous engagementis finally had with the .terminal .strips -72 and 95 against thetensionof a spring 108, posi- :tioning.;the-.green, red or other distinctivelycolored indicating surfaces in indicating po-- sitio ntat-the frontandrear. of each of the two signals associated with the machine. Uponreturning the'lever;83 to its normal i position, simultaneous engagementwith the terminal-strips and 96v again positions the white enameledsurfaces in their normal indicating position.

lVh'ile the surfaces normally in indicating position are .preferablyenameled white and the surfaces for indicatinga change .inthe course ofdiminution in speed are preferably .enameled green, the particularcoloring system used is immaterial in so *far. as my present inventionis concerned. -Green is preferably used, to. avoid possible confusionwiththe .sidelights, .tail lights, ..etc., now ill-use. Inthisconnection, I find that such confusion can be even further avoidedby [the provision of. thermostatic, spring or other suitable-means inthe lamp circuits for periodically flashing the lamp or; lamps when thecircuit or circuits as the casemay be; therethrough. are closed. ..Suchprovisions in .connection with mypresent invention are thereforecontemplated in that under .certziinconditions the effectiveness of the.signal .is thereby increased.

In Figure: 9,*I have shown an alternative form of; locking .means forpreventing unintentional=movement of the shafts 26, and 28. In thiscase, the circuit through an electroemagnet 112. which circuit issupplied from a suitable source (not shown) and istgroundedv as-shown at113 is closed by theileft ,handend of theshaft 28as shown in the;.movement of the shaft to the left .upoiuenergization of the coil-30. 5Current .is thereby established through the electro-magnet 112 ,settingup a magnetic field (with,amplestrength to lock the shaft 28 in :thisposition until the solenoid coil 31 is energized whereupon the shaft 2-8is moved to the right togive the proper indication andat-the, same timecloses the circuit through .an electro magnet 110 tention thereto aspossible.

grounded at 111, which electro-magnet thereupon effectively locks theshaftlagainst displacement from its right hand position.

In a signaling device for the character of service for which my presentinvention is particularly adapted, I find that the driver should berelieved of as much at- To this end, the circuit controllingarrangements shown diagrammatically in Figures 10 and 11 have beenprovided.

In Figure 10, the contact making lever 115 is supplied from a battery116 or other suitable source, the opposite end of which battery isgrounded at 117. A conductor 118 connects the contact 150 for settingthe white indicating surface of one of the sig nals in its normalindicating position with a suitable spring contact 120 mounted upon aninsulating block 121. A conductor 122 connects the contact 150 with asuitable contact mounted upon a similar insulating block in the othersignal. .Conductors 124: connect the terminal" strips 125 for settingthe green or other distinctively colored surfaces in indicatingposition, with spring contacts 126 mounted upon the blocks 121 in spacedrelation to the contacts 120. Metallic guide blocks 128 secured to theopposite ends of the insulating block 121 form guides along the uppersurfaces of which upright posts 129 are adapted forrectilineal movement,these posts being slidably mounted upon the blocks 128 through dove tailor other suitable connections. An insulating strip 130 arranged between'and carried by the upright posts 129 carries terminal screws 131 and132 adapted for making contact with the spring terminals 126 and 120',respectively as will be hereinafter set out. I a I The solenoid winding30 surrounding the shaft 28 is connected with the terminal screw 131while the winding 31 is con nected with the screw 132. A conductor 133connected into the line 124between the terminals 125 and 126 leadsthrougha lamp 13% and is grounded as shown at 135.

Assuming that the white indicating surfaces of the signal are in theirnormal indicat-ing positions and it is desired to signal an intendedchange in course or stop. The contact making lever 115 is moved intoengagement with the desired terminal strip 125 setting up a flow ofcurrent through the lamp 134: and through the solenoid winding 30" byway of the cooperating contacts 131 and 126, which are in engagement atsuch time. The solenoid core 28 is thereupon immediately moved'rectilineally to the left. A projection 136 carried by the core orshaft 28 engages the left hand post 129 during such movement and movesthe posts 129 insulating strip 130 and terminal screws 131 and 132 tothe left along the guide blocks to their normal indicating position, thelever 115 is moved first from engagement with the strip 125 opening thecircuit through the lamp and then into its central or normal position inengagement with the contact member 150 closing the circuit through thesolenoid winding 31". The resulting movement of the core or shaft 28? tothe right automatically opens the circuit through the winding 31 andcauses. engagement between the screw 131 and the contact member 126 sothat this circuit will be automatically set for the succeeding change incourse or stop indicating operation. through the solenoid windings beingautomatically opened precludes anypossibility of unintentionally leaving'either of these circuits closed and at the same time, the circuit notenergized is automatically set for the succeeding energization thereof.Spring clips 119, 123 and 138 serve to hold the energizing lever 115 inits various adjusted positions. Engagement of the lever 115 with both ofthe strips 125 simultaneously positions the green, red or other distinctively colored surfaces in each device in indicating position.

g In Figure 11 the contact members 151 and 152 are connected as throughsuitable leads with the contact member 150. With this layout by movingthe energizing lever 115 into contact with the'contact members 151 and125 or 152 and 125 an automatic changing from white to red by continuousoperation of the signal back and forth from white to red will beobtained in the particular signal energized so long as the energizinglever remains in such contact. In other words, the leads 118 and 12 1are tied together at such time and the plunger 28 reciprocates back andforth by the cutting in and out 'of the. automatic switch. The lamp 134'also flashes'on' and off as the cut-ou t moves from one position to theother. Such action simultaneously in both signals to indicate a stop isobtained through engagement of the energizing lever with the oppositeends of the contacts 125 and 153 and 1541 connected through suitableleads with the contacts 151 and 152.

V I do not intend, of course, to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction shown and described. r

The circuit between 1- claim:

lilndevice of the class d'escrib'ed, the combination-bf a 'pair of-st-ation'a'ry -sign'al members, spacing means secured E later-ally andcarrying and' 'spacingsaid "signahmembers, a tube disposed between andsubstantially parallel to said signal members-"and 'securedatitsopposite ends in said spacing means, a generally U-shaped frame mountedupon said tube, each end of the tube being provided with a windingbetween the legs of said U-shaped frame and said spacing means, and thetube being slotted centrally, a pair of frame members carried by saidU-shaped frame member and disposed substantially normal thereto, a shaftin the tube, asecond shaft disposed normal to said first shaft andjournaled in said last frame members, said second shaft having teethprojecting through the slot in the tube and engaging with teeth in saidfirst shaft, and signal members carried by the opposite ends of saidlast shaft and cooperating with said first signal members.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair ofstationary signal members, a pair of spacing members secured laterallybetween and carrying and spacing said signal members, a tube disposedbetween and substantially parallel to said signal members and secured atits opposite ends in said spacing members, a. generally U- shaped framemounted upon said tube, each end of the tube being provided with awinding between the legs of said U-shaped frame and said spacingmembers, and the tube being slotted centrally, a pair of frame memberscarried by said U-shaped frame member and disposed substantially normalthereto, a shaft in the tube, a second shaft disposed normal to saidfirst shaft and ournalcd in said last frame members, said second shafthaving teeth projecting through the slot in the tube and engagingwithteeth in said first shaft, signal members carried by the oppositeends of said last shaft and co operating with said first signal members,an enclosing casing, and pins carried by the spacing members andcooper-able with longitudinal grooves in said casing to hold saidmechanism in place therein.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair ofstationary signal members, a pair of spacing members secured laterallybetween and carrying and spacing said signal members, a tube disposed between and substantially parallel to said signal members and secured atits opposite ends in said spacing members, a generally U- shaped framemounted upon said tube, each end of the tube being provided with a winding between the legs of said U shaped frame and said spacing members,and the tube being slotted centrally, a pair of frame members carried bysaid U-shaped frame mem- "her and disposed substantially normal thereto,a shaft in the tube. a second-shaft disposed normal to said first shaftand j ournaled in sz'i'id la'st frame members,- said second shaft havingteeth projecting through the slot in the tubeand engaging witlrteeth insaid firstshaft, signal members" carried by the' opposite ends of 'said'la'st shaft and cooperating with said first signal members, an enclosingcasing, pins carried by the spacing members and cooperable withlongitudinal grooves in said casing to hold said mechanism in placetherein, a lamp mounted between the upper ends of the frame members andprojecting through said casing, a housing enclosing the lamp and mountedon said casing, said housing having signal panes and a lateral arm forthe introduction of conductors to the lamp and to the windings 011 thetube.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair ofstationary signal members, a pair of spacing members secured laterallybetween and carrying and spacing said signal members, a tube disposedbetween and substantially parallel to said signal members and secured atits opposite ends in said spacing members, a generally U- shaped framemounted upon said tube, each end of the tube being provided with awinding between the legs of said U-shaped frame and said spacingmembers, and the tube being slotted centrally, a pair of frame memberscarried by said U-shaped frame memier and disposed substantially normalthereto, a shaft in the tube, a second shaft disposed normal to saidfirst shaft and journaled in said last frame members, said sec ond shafthaving teeth projecting through the slot in the tube and engaging withteeth in said first shaft, signal members carried by the opposite endsof said last shaft and cooperating with said first signal members. atube mounted in the base of the U-shaped frame substantially normal tosaid first tube, a locking plunger mounted in said second tube andcooperating with the teeth in the signal member carrying shaft and acoil wound on said second tube for controlling said plunger.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a. pair ofstationary signal members, a pair of spacing members secured laterallybetween and carrying and spacing said signal members, a tube disposedbetween and substantially parallel to said signal members and secured atits opposite ends in said spacing members, a generally U- shaped framemounted upon said tube, each end of the tube being provided with awinding between the legs of said U-shaped frame and said spacingmembers, and the tube being slotted centrally, a pair of frame memberscarried by said U-shaped frame memher and disposed substantially normalthereto, a shaft in the tube; a second shaft dis- .posed normal to saidfirst shaft and journaled in said last frame members, said second shafthaving teeth projecting through the slot in the tube and engaging withteeth in said first shaft, signal members carried by the opposite endsof said last shaft and cooperating with said first signal members, 7

and a lug on one of the frame memberscooperating With a groove in thesignal meniber'carrying shaft for maintaining proper relativepositioning of the signal members.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 'my name this 28th day ofOctober, 1920.

EAR-LE F. OTTER

